Massive Ukrainian cargo specialist Antonov Airlines will offer the An-225 for commercial services, to provide additional capacity to the cargo industry. The An-225, with a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tons, is the world's largest operational means of transport and is intended to complement Antonov Airlines' seven An-124 fleet.
Antonov Airlines claims there is a "surge" in demand for An-124 capacity, but global fleet availability for this type is "very limited".
One of the Russian aircraft carriers Volga-Dnepr An-124s was badly damaged in an accident in Novosibirsk in mid-November and the operator subsequently ceased service of this type pending the results of an investigation.
Antonov Airlines returned the An-225 - the only aircraft marked UR-82060 - for flight earlier this year, after a long period of maintenance and upgrade, and was recruited for medical and humanitarian transport work related to the pandemic .
But the airline said it would commercialize the aircraft after routine maintenance to provide additional air transportation in a very large industry.
“We prioritize shipments that require critical time,” said Commercial Director Andriy Blagovisniy.
"[We] are doing our best to help customers in this difficult situation and support them around the world."
Developed from the An-124 platform for special operations, including the transport of the Soviet Union's Buran shuttle, the An-225 has a longer hull, larger wingspan - with room for six engines - and characteristic double vertical fins.
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